Miniature print publication with electronic tie-in

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a memorabilia includes a miniaturized copy of at least a portion of a page from a publication, a housing the contains the copy, and link information other than that provided within the page that can be used to access additional information relating to a content of the page.

This application is a CIP of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/652825 filed Aug. 23, 2003, and claims priority to pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/453730 filed Jun. 14, 2006, which claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/692071 filed Jun. 17, 2005 and claims priority to pending provisional application Ser. No. 60/890241 filed Feb. 16, 2007.

These and all other referenced materials are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is memorabilia.

BACKGROUND

Sports fans, theatre and concert attendees, and many others often have a desire to purchase memorabilia relating to an event that has special significance for them. Some collectors save their tickets, and others like to save newspaper clippings, and so forth. Indeed, there is a small industry built around providing housings to hold such items.

One problem, however, is that the memorabilia are stand-alone items, and collectors may have a desire to link their various items to additional information, for example statistics on a game, additional photographs, and so forth. To date there is no convenient way of accomplishing that goal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a memorabilia includes a miniaturized copy of at least a portion of a page from a publication, a housing the contains the copy, and link information other than that provided within the page that can be used to access additional information relating to a content of the page.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an exemplary non-laminated memorabilia.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary laminated memorabilia.

FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic of a page from a website through which a user can enter a user indicia, and/or an access code to obtain information about a specific memorabilia.

FIGS. 4A-4C are mock-ups of pages from a website through which a user can enter an access code to obtain information about a specific memorabilia.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIGS. 1, a memorabilia 100 generally comprises a housing 110, a miniature copy 120 of at least a portion of a published page, and a label 130.

The housing 110 is generally transparent, although it may be colored in some way, and it may be transparent over only a portion of its surface. Preferred materials are relatively durable, waterproof, and at least substantially non-yellowing and non-reactive with papers commonly used in tickets and other printed materials. In especially preferred embodiments, the front and back sheets forming the housing can be treated or otherwise manufactured to provide resistance to ultraviolet or other potentially harmful radiation.

Housing 110 can be any suitable size and shape, but would likely be between about 10 and 30 cm tall, between about 7 and 20 cm wide, and between about 0.2 and 5 mm thick at its thinnest point. Housing 110 has a front surface measuring approximately 150 cm², with alternative contemplated areas ranging from about 70 cm² to about 200 cm². Unless dictated by the context, all ranges herein are to be interpreted as inclusive of the endpoints.

In FIG. 1 the housing 110 is not laminated onto the underlying copy 120 or label portion 130. Instead, the front and back sheets forming the housing 110 are held together with snaps, screws, or other connectors 112. This structure is considered advantageous because the housing can provide protection to the enclosed objects without irreversibly binding or otherwise damaging such objects.

Miniature copy 120 is preferably reduced from a corresponding full-size image by at least 50%, and more preferably at least 75% in each of vertical and horizontal dimensions. For example, while a typical newspaper may have dimensions of about 58 cm by 32 cm, a corresponding miniature copy could have dimensions of about 15 cm by 10 cm or perhaps 10 cm by 7 cm. Readability will, of course, depend on several factors including the original type size and font, the degree of miniaturization, and the quality of the printing. In some cases these factors might conspire to produce text that is generally not readable without a magnifying glass or other visual aid. But more preferably these factors are selected so that at least a majority of the copy is at least 4 pt or 6 pt, both of which are deemed herein to be readable without a magnifying glass or other visual aid.

Miniature copy 120 can be taken from any suitable source, including for example, print media such as newspapers, (e.g., Los Angeles Times™, New York Times™) and sports magazines (e.g., Sports Illustrated™). On the other hand, miniature copy 120 could be taken from an on-line publication, such as a web page or section found on www.MSN.com or http://espn.go.com/. In yet other embodiments, miniature copy 120 could be taken from a poster, playbill, program or other guide sold or otherwise provided at the event. In many, if not most cases, it is contemplated that miniature copy 120 would include a photograph or other image.

In FIG. 1, label portion 130 is generally smaller than the miniature copy 120, but is still positioned prominently, and in a manner that doesn't obscure the copy 120. To that end the label portion 130 in FIG. 1 is positioned towards the head end of the memorabilia 100, but of course it could be positioned anywhere else. All manner of labels are contemplated, including for tickets from sporting, music, theatre, or movie events. Entire tickets could be used, especially where they are relatively small, but in most cases only a stub or other portion of the ticket will be used.

In FIG. 1 the label portion 130 is a sticker affixed to the front of the memorabilia 100. Label portion 130 could alternatively be included (whether affixed or otherwise) inside the housing, i.e., between the front and back sheets of the housing.

Label portion 130 includes three links 132A, 132B, 132C, each of which provides information that can be used to access additional information relating to a content of the page. In this particular instance link 132A is a bar code, link 132B is a number, and link 132C is a Uniform Resource Locator (a URL, which in the case of the Internet comprises a web site address). In preferred embodiments, a person can access the web site designated by the URL, and optionally either scan the bar code 132A or enter the number 132B as an access code. In any of those cases the web site would provide additional information related to the content of the miniaturized copy, such as providing the full article, providing links to related articles, and so forth.

In FIG. 2, an alternative memorabilia 200 generally comprises a housing 210, a miniature copy 220 of at least a portion of a published page, an admissions ticket stub 230 having an RFID chip 240. In this instance the housing 210 is a lamination coating around the copy 220 and the stub 230. Bar code 232A and ticket number 232B are shown on the ticket. Instead of being 8-10 mm thick, this entire memorabilia 200 is only about 0.5 mm thick. Also, in this instance the link information is contained in the RFID chip 232C, which also includes a URL.

FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic of a page from a website having a first interface 312 through which a user can enter a user indicia, and a second interface 314 through which the user can alternatively or additionally enter an access code to obtain information about a specific memorabilia.

FIGS. 4A-4C are mock-ups of pages from a website 300 having an interface 314A through which the user can enter an access code.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of memorabilia have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. 

1. A memorabilia, comprising: a miniaturized copy of at least a portion of a page from a publication, a housing the contains the copy; and link information other than that provided within the page that can be used to access additional information relating to a content of the page.
 2. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the publication comprises at least one of a newspaper and a magazine.
 3. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the page publication comprises an electronic publication.
 4. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the miniaturized copy includes an entirety of the page.
 5. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the copy is miniaturized to an extent that at least a majority of any wording is at least 4 pt.
 6. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the copy is miniaturized to an extent that at least a majority of any wording is at least 6 pt.
 7. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the housing is at least partially laminated about the copy.
 8. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the housing provides an air-tight enclosure about the copy.
 9. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the housing has a front surface measuring at least 150 cm².
 10. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the link information is affixed to an external surface of the housing.
 11. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the link information is disposed internal to the housing.
 12. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the link information is disposed on at least a portion of an admissions ticket.
 13. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the link information comprises an address of a web page.
 14. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the link information comprises a non-textual machine readable code.
 15. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the link information is contained in an RFID chip.
 16. The memorabilia of claim 1, wherein the link information comprises an access code, with which a user can obtain additional information about the memorabilia.
 17. A system comprising the memorabilia of claim 13 and the website, wherein the website has an interface through which a user can enter an access code to obtain additional information about the memorabilia. 